Pharmacy
Our hospital Pharmacy department plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe and effective use of medications across Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.
The Pharmacy department is responsible for the procurement, storage, and distribution of medications throughout the trust, this includes both inpatient and outpatient medications, with a focus on ensuring that patients receive the correct medications at the right times.
The Pharmacy and Medicines Management service employs approximately 80 staff, predominantly Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Assistants, Pharmacy Students and a Business Support team. The Pharmacy dispenses around 15,000 items each month to support the Trust's inpatient and community teams.
Our Services
- Medicine supply and procurement
- Clinical pharmacy services and medicines management
- Prescribing and formulary management
- User, carer, and community information and support
- Research, education, and training
- Clozapine service coordination
- Discharge planning and CPA involvement
- Policy and financial management for medicines
Pharmacy Roles
Clinical Pharmacists
Our Clinical Pharmacists work closely with other members of the multidisciplinary team, providing recommendations and guidance on the safety and appropriateness of medicines.
They will also advise on the best way to administer medicines and how to monitor for side effects. They provide a range of clinical services, including medication therapy management, chronic disease management, and patient education.
Pharmacists will also answer any questions or concerns that patients may have regarding either their current treatment or future treatment options.
All of our Pharmacists undertake further specialist study and accreditation and are required to maintain their knowledge and skills at an appropriate level by the Trust and their professional body.
Medicine Management Technicians
Medicines Management Technicians (MMTs) are highly trained Pharmacy Technicians who play a key role in clinical teams. They manage the supply of medicines to allocated wards, coordinate medicines brought by service users, and handle discharge prescriptions. MMTs also train healthcare staff in medicines management, support smooth transitions of care between secondary and primary settings, and provide advice to service users on medication. MMT's ensure value for money by reducing wastage of medicines and improving stock management. They also perform regular audits to ensure Medicines Management Standards meet legal requirements and are adhered too.
Pharmacy Technicians
Our Pharmacy Technicians are a vital part of the Pharmacy team. They work to ensure the safe running of the Pharmacy and make sure patients get the most from their medicines.
The Technician role provides comprehensive technical support for pharmaceutical services, including inpatient and outpatient dispensing, stock management, and maintaining efficient, error-free systems. Key responsibilities include timely medicine distribution, ward top-ups, and technical services for peripheral units.
Pharmacy Assistants
Pharmacy assistants are trained to NVQ Level 2 equivalent.
Pharmacy assistants provide vital support to the dispensary and distribution elements of the pharmacy service, they are responsible for ordering, receiving and storing pharmaceutical stock to a high level of accuracy to maintain accurate stock levels and assist the Procurement and Dispensary Managers in the effective, timely and cost-efficient supply of medicines.
Pharmacy assistants also play a large part in the dispensing of In-patient and Out-patient medicines. They assemble and supply prescribed items to a high level of accuracy under the supervision of a qualified Pharmacist or Accredited Checking Technician according to department SOPs.
Our Services
Staff Benefits
Oxford Health is delighted to offer staff a wide range of benefits in addition to salary, NHS pension, annual leave and retirement options. A sample of our most popular benefits are listed below:
Financial Benefits
- Blue light card discounts
- Health Service Discounts
- NHS Staff Benefits Discounts
- Salary Finance Scheme
- Long Service Awards
Travel Benefits
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Car Lease Scheme
- Discounted Bus Fares (Arriva Buses, Oxford Bus Company & Thames Travel)
Wellbeing Benefits
- Free Eye Tests
- Free Occupational Health Advice
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Spiritual & Pastoral Care
- Staff Health & Wellbeing Action Group
- Staff Networks & Support Groups
Additional Benefits
- Flexible working options
- Staff Accommodation (waiting lists may apply)
- Key Worker Housing
- Access to a wide range of Learning & Development Opportunities, including apprenticeships
